CLEVELAND, Ga. – The IGA grocery store in Cleveland has changed hands, with former owners Steve and Dana Berry selling the business to Big Basket Foods, LLC on October 14. The new owners are brothers Sam and Robbie Osabiya, whose Big Basket Foods company is based in Johns Creek.
Dana Berry announced the sale on Facebook, stating that after being approached by the Osabiyas several months ago, she and her husband decided it was time for “a new energy” in the community. The Berrys purchased the store in September 2021.
“We appreciate each and every one that has shopped and supported us during this journey,” Berry tells Now Habersham.
The community’s reaction to the sale has been mixed. While many shoppers expressed gratitude to the Berrys for revitalizing the store, some voiced negativity about the sale and the new owners’ ethnicity.
“We didn’t realize we had touched so many,” Berry told Now Habersham, reflecting on the community’s response. She also addressed the negative comments, stating, “We were equally surprised by the few who demonstrated such hate and spread untruthful rumors. I believe that with correcting the rumors, our community has embraced the change.”
According to Berry, the Osabiyas plan to expand the store’s product range, modernize the shopping experience and actively engage with the Cleveland community.
